Luggage case



April 29, 1958 w. G. AXTELL. n

LUGGAGE CASE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 4, 1955 /K I INVENTOR. W/LLD 6. XTELL A rroR/vEr April 29, 1958 w. G. AxTr-:LL Y 2,832,448

LUGGAGE CASE Filed April 4, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @S F/gl .9.

INVENTOR. l w/LLARD a. AXTELL l BY HW /-G'a' ATTORNEY April 29, 1958 w. G. AxTELL.

LUGGAGE CASE Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 4, 1955 INVENTIOR. WML/W0 6. AXTELL BY @zg/W A T TUR/VE Y LUGGAGE CASE Willard G. Axtell, Denver, Colo., assigner to Shwayder Bros., Inc., Denver,

Colo., a corporation of Colorado Application April 4, 1955, Serial No. 499,069 14 Claims. (Cl. 190-49) This invention relates to luggage cases.

In previous luggage cases, numerous and varied types of constructions have been utilized. For instance, luggage cases have been made of leather, formed to shape and sewed at the corners of two sections, the sections being generally rectangular or perhaps having other shapes, and often provided with a lining of fabric. Along the bottom, such sections have been provided with a backing plate or reinforcement to which a hinge or hinges connecting the two sections together are attached. Also, a reinforcement for the remaining edges of one section may be adapted to be received by an L-shaped reinforcement for the corresponding edges of the opposite section. The two sections may be held in close position by various types of locks, bolts, draw bolts and the like. However, the principal structural element of such luggage cases is the leather, with the parts attached to the abutting edges of the sections being merely reinforcement for the leather. In other types of luggage cases, the principal load resisting elements of the two interfitting sections have been made from panels of plywood or the like, covered with` fabric or plastic, with reinforcing plates, hinges, cooperating edge reinforcements, hardware and similar parts being attached thereto in a manner similar to the leather case described above. While sturdy in construction and highly resistant to wear and therefore quite serviceable and highly popular, since many millions have been sold, such luggage cases tend to be heavier than desired. Also, the two sections of the case have been made from metal drawn to shape, so that there are no abutting edges or joints at the corners, but the weight is still unduly great.

The copending application of Emmett H. Heitler, Serial No. 484,335 led January 27, 1955, entitled Luggage Cases, Such as Hat Box, discloses and claims a novel type of construction for luggage cases in which the principal load bearing element of a luggage case comprises tongue and groove strips extending all the way around the peripheral edge of each of two sections of a luggage case, `with the tongue and groove interitting around all of or substantially the entire periphery, with the .case in closed position, so as to provide a relatively strong load bearing element. Such tongue and groove strips may have a central web to which the sides and also the lining, if provided, of the sections may be attached, as by rivets, and also a flange at both the inside and outside, the space between the outer flange and the web receiving the ends of the sides of the case section and the space between the inner flange and the web receiving the ends of the lining of the case sections, when provided. The sides and ends of the case sections may include a wear resistant outer layer of wear resistant plastic or other suitable material, bonded to a plastic impregnated fiber layer or a light metal, such as a magnesium alloy, while lining layers on the inside of a case section may include an innermost `layer of fabric and a backing strip for the fabric formed of ber or other suitable material. A luggage case constructed in accordance with the present invention preferably includes the novel tongue and groove load bear- 2 ing strips of this copending application Serial No. 484,335.

When the two sections of a luggage case are made from metal drawn to shape, as indicated previously, the weight may be unduly great because the metal has to be sufficiently thick to withstand .the entire load on the case. in addition, the cost of such drawing operation is considerable and exceeds the cost of merely cutting a strip of metal to a predetermined length and then bending at i.

one or more points to a desired shape. Furthermore, a strip of metal may be coated with a wear resistant layer, such as plastic, as on one side, which is to become the outside of the ease and later cut to dimension and bent to -shape if the bending is relatively simple. However, if a section of a luggage case is made of one piece of metal, a wear resistant layer of plastic or the like cannot be placed on the outside until after drawing, so that the application of such a plastic layer is quite expensive. Thus, it is less expensive to use plastic covered metal in strip form.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a novel luggage case; to provide such a luggage case which is light in weight, yet suiciently strong to resist hard usage; to provide such a luggage case which may be provided with side walls of a relatively light metal, such as a magnesium alloy; to provide such a luggage case which includes metal in strip form which is provided with a wear resistant layer of plastic; to provide such a luggage case which includes tongue and groove strips of the copending application Serial No. 484,335; to provide such a luggage vcase which is formed in two sections, each of which may be provided with end panels made of molded material, such as plastics; to provide such a luggage case in which -such end panels cooperate in a novel manner with the side walls and with the tongue and groove strips of copending application Serial No. 484,335; and to provide such a luggage case which is economical to manufacture and easily assembled.

Additional objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a luggage case, constructed in accordance with this invention, in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged section taken along line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary View of a portion of the bottom of the luggage case of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross section taken along line 4-4, at the end of the case of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary section taken along line 5 5, at the top of the case of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross section taken along line 6-6, at an upper corner of the case of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross section taken along line 7--7 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged end view, lookingA from the inside, of an end panel forming a part of the luggage case of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary cross section taken along line ltl--lll of Fig. 8;

Fig. ll is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, looking downwardly at a corner ofone of the sections of the luggage case of Fig. l, with the lining omitted;

Fig. l2 is a top plan View of the corner as shown in Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the corner of Fig. ll, with the lining in place.

As illustrated in Figs. l to 5, inclusive, a luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention may be formed of two complementary, concave sections hinged together at the bottom, as by two hinges, such as a hinge assegna H of Fig. 3, each section being formed by a pair of panels E between which a wall strip W extends and is adapted to interlit with each of the end panels, as described later. Two tongue strips T and T and two groove strips G and G extend around the peripheral edge of each of the sections, the strips T and G being mounted on the end panels E, as in Fig. 4, and the strips T and G being mounted on the edges of the wall strip W, as in Fig. 5. The luggage case is adapted to be held in closed position by any suitable type of draw bolt, lock and the like, such as a pair of draw bolts 1Q, which :tre conveniently constructed in the manner disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 486,327, filed February 7, 1955 and entitled Device For Attaching Two Separable Parts Together, now U. S. Patent No. 2,792,248, as well as a lock 11 incorporated in a handle attachment 12. The opposite ends of handle 13 are pivotally mounted on the handle attachment 12, while a plate holder 14, adapted to contain plates bearing the initials of the owner or the like, may be mounted on the top of one section of the case. The shape and configuration of the various parts of the luggage case of the present invention may be quite different from those shown herein, although the same has high aesthetic value and is disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. D. 34,285, tiled January 3l, 1955 and entitled DesignFor Luggage Case.

Each wall strip W, as in Figs. and 6, may comprise a strip 1S of a magnesium alloy to the outside of which is bonded a plastic layer 16, such as a vinyl plastic, suitably colored, the strip 15 being cut to dimension and then bent to a shape corresponding to the edges of the end panels E. The side edges of the wall strips W are received in a groove which extends around three sides of the inner periphery of each end panel E and which Will be described in greater detail hereinafter. As in Fig. 4, each tongue strip T and groove strip G interts with an end panel E, as by a ange 17 of an end panel E being received in a groove formed between an outer flange 18 and a web 19 of the tongue and groove strips, strip T being provided with a longitudinal tongue 20 which intertits with a corresponding groove formed in strip G, with the case in closed position, as in Fig. 4. The tongue and groove strips are conveniently formed by extrusion of a light weight metal, such as magnesium or aluminum alloy, as disclosed in the said Emmett H. Hetler copending application Serial No. 484,335. As in Fig. 5, the edges of the wall strip W, at both the bot torn and top of each of the case sections, extend into a groove formed between an outer flange 18 and a central web 19' of the respective tongue strip T' and groove strip G', the former having a tongue 20 which interfits with a corresponding groove formed in the latter, similar to strips T and G. The tongue strips T and T and groove strips G and G are also provided with an inner ange 21, which with web 19 or 19 forms a groove for the reception of a lining L, as in Figs. 4 and 5, which may comprise a layer 22 of thin ber board or the like, to which a layer 23 of fabric is attached, as by gluing kor sewing at selected positions. The extended edge of web 19 may be provided with a bead 24 and web 19 with a similar bead 24', with beads 24 and 24 facing to the inside, to add additional strength to the tongue and groove strips and thereby permit the size thereof to be reduced to save weight, as also disclosed in the copending Emmett H. Hetler application Serial No. 484,335. In addition, web 19' of tongue and groove strips T' and G' may be deeper than web 19 of strips T and G to add additional strength along the edges of wall strip W, as well as to provide additional space for attachment of web 19 to each end panel by a rivet 25, as in Fig. 6. As also shown in Fig. 6, a bracket 26 may connect the ends of strips G and G at each corner of the case, as being attached thereto by vrivets 27, with similar brackets provided for strips T and T. Brackets 26 may be disposed adjacent the edges of the inner iianges 21 of the strips, while the brackets 26 may be formed with a'greater radius of curvature at the center 28 of the corner thereof, as shown in Fig. ll also, to impart additional strength. The wall strip W is also attached to the webs 19 of the tongue and groove strips T and G', as by the same rivets which attach the draw bolts 10, lock 11 and handle attachment 12 thereto.

Each of the hinges H, as in Figs. 3 and 7, may be inverted channel shaped in cross section and extend angularly and then outwardly from a hinge pin 30, which is surrounded by interposed ears 31, to a block or abutment 32 on which the case is adapted to rest in upright position, as in Fig. 2. The channel anges at the inner end 33 ofeach of the hinge halves may be cut away to accommodate the tongue and groove strips, while the hinges may be attached, as by rivets 34, to the web 19 of the strips, which rivets also attach the wall strip W thereto. Additional rivets 34 may also attach the hinges to the wall strips W at positions outwardly from rivets 34. In view of the fact that the tongue and groove strips at the bottom of the case are attached together by the hinges, the lining L may extend over the same, as in Fig. '7, rather than being attached thereto, so as to prevent the entrance of any foreign material into the case when the case is opened and also to prevent clothing or other articles packed in the case from catching between the strips T and G', as the case is being closed. Other types of hinges may, of course, be utilized,such as a piano type hinge in which intertitting ears, connected by a pin, are provided on each half of the pin, as disclosed in the aforementioned copending application of Emmett H. Hetler, Serial No. 484,335. 1f desired, the hinge ears may be integral with the tongue and groove strips T and G at the bottom of the case.

Each of the end panels E, as in Figs. 8-10, may be molded from a suitable plastic, such as a modified Ethecel or ethyl cellulose, to provide a groove 36 for wall strip W, between an outer flange 37 and an inner flange 38, the outer flange 37 preferably extending `completely around the outer edge of the panel and the ends 39 of the inner ange 38 being spaced from the adjacent edge of the panel to provide space for reception of the tongue or groove strip, as the case may be, as described later. On the outside, a groove or indentation 40 may be disposed opposite the center of the inner ange 38, as in Figs. 9 and 10, to improve the appearance of the end panels. The outer corner of the outer ange 37 is preferably rounded as shown, while along the inner edge of the panel, which faces toward the opposite end panel E with the case in closed position, an oset ange 17 is formed, ange 17 being offset inwardly an amount approximately equal to the thickness of outer flange 18 of the tongue and groove strips T and G so that each strip will lit ush over the panel flange 17, as in Fig. 4. Thus, the web 19 of the tongue or groove strip T or G extends along tiange 17 on the inside of the case section, while web 19 of each tongue and groove strip T and G' is spaced slightly from the end 39 of the panel inner flange 38. A bead 41 at the base of the outer flange 37 extends inwardly past the position of offset flange 17 to a button 42, as in Figs. 8 and 9, along which the outer ange 18 of the strip T and G extend, as in Fig. l2.

The tongue and groove strips may be mitered at 45 at each corner, as in Figs. ll-l3, so as to form a neat corner.

The lining L, as indicated previously, may include a ber backing strip 22 to which fabric 23 is secured in a suitable manner, as `by sewing or by an adhesive, while the lining L may also be provided with attached pockets 45 at suitable positions, such as at the ends of one case section, as in Figs. 2 and 13. The pockets 45 may be made of fabric and provided With shirred edges and enclosing an elastic strip in a conventional manner. The lining L for each section of the case may be assembled from several different parts cut to shape, such as one part which extends from the upper tongue strips T down and along thev side and across the bottom of one section and then across the Ibottom of the opposite section and up the side thereof and across the top to the opposite upper tongue strip T. End parts of the lining may be attached to the central part, as by stitched seams, while the end parts of the lining may be additionally attached to the case, as by self-tapping metal screws 46, shown in Fig. 13, conveniently threadedly engaging a hole 47 of Fig. 1l, drilled or punched for the purpose in web 19 of tongue strip T. Conveniently, there may be two screws 46 at each end of each case section, or more or less, if desired. Of course, prior to attachment of the screws 46, the edges of the lining L are inserted beneath the inner flange 21 of the tongue and groove strips, as in Figs. 4 and 5.

Assembly of a luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention may be readily carried out on a production basis. Thus, the wall strips W may be cut to size and then bent to shape, with holes for rivets and the like punched or drilled either before or after bending. Suitable adhesive, adapted to bond the side edgs of each wall strip W to the end panels E, may be run into the grooves 36 in 4the end panels, after which the edges of the wall strip W may be inserted in the grooves, thereby forming a basic assembly for each section of the luggage case consisting of a wall stn'p W and an end panel E attached to each end thereof. This basic assembly may be clamped in a jig, until or after the adhesive sets, while the jig may also be utilized to Ihold the parts in position, while the rivet holes are being drilled in the llanges 37 of the end panels E. Two pairs of tongue strips T or T and groove strips G or G', cut to length and mitered at the ends and with the rivet holes punched therein, may be assembled together as a rectangular framework by riveting the corner brackets 27 thereto. This rectangular tongue or groove strip assembly may then be slipped down over the basic assembly, with the offset flanges 17 of the end panels E entering the groove between the outer flange 18 and the web 2G of the tongue or groove strips T or G and the exposed edges of the.

wall strip W entering the groove between the outer liange 18 and web 19 of the strips "l" or G. The outer flange 18 of the tongue strip T or groove strip G will engage the button 42 at the mitered corner of the end panels E, as in Fig. 12, so that the tongue and groove strip assemblies rnay be accurately placed in position on the basic assembly' described above. The rivets 25 may be inserted and riveted in place, while the various hardware parts, including the draw bolts 10, lock 11, handle attachment 12 and plate holder 14, may then `be attached by rivets or in any other suitable manner. Then, two of the sections may be brought together and the hinges H attached thereto. All that then remains is merely to slip the lining L in position and attach the screws 46, to complete the luggage case.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. As will be evident, because of the relatively light weight of the plastic end panels E and particularly the relatively light weight of the metal wall strips W, the luggage case when empty weighs considerably less than the normal luggage case, particularly when made of leather or of plywood panels covered with plastic, as described hereinbefore. Due to the interfitting relationship between the wall strips W and the end panels E, and also between the wall strips and the end panels, on the one hand, and the tongue and groove strips, on the other hand, the case is strong and tends to resist deformation to a high degree. Thus, not only do the tongue and groove strips, which are attached together at the corner brackets, tend to resist any load placed on the case when in an upright position, but the end panels and tongue and groove strips also tend to resist any load placed on the other' walls, while the curvature of the corners of the case, which is followed by the wall strips, imparts greater strength than if sharp corners were utilized. In addition, since the outer flanges of the end panels extend over the side edges of the wall strip, as do also the tongue and groove strips attached to the wall strips, stacking one `case on top of another, with each case lying on its side, transmits the load directly to the end panels. Of course, if a smaller case is stacked on top of a larger one, or vice versa, the end panels of the smaller case will engage the wall strip of the larger' case, but such points of engagement will generally tend to be relatively close to the end panels. In addition, the metal of the wall strips and also the plastic of the end panels is sutliciently resilient to spring Iback into place after temporary deformation due to loading. The use of metal in strip form, provided with .a layer of wear resistant plastic, permits the case to be made quite economically, as do also the relatively simple operations involved in the -assernbly thereof. Also, the plastic end panels not only facilitate assembly and increase load resistance, but provide a distinctive and pleasing appearance.

Although a specific embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described and certain variations therein indicated, it will be understood that other embodiments may exist and that other variations may be made, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A luggage case, including two opposed concave sections which meet at confronting edges thereof when said case is closed, each said section comprising a panel at each end; a wall strip extending between said panels to forni the side, bottom and top of said section, said panels being provided with a configuration so as to interit with Said Wall strip; and confronting strip means extending around the edges of said wall strip and said panels, said strip means of one section intertting with the strip means of the other section with said case closed.

2, A luggage case, as defined in claim 1, wherein said strip means of each said section interiits with said wall strip and said end panels thereof.

3. A luggage case, as dened in claim l, including hinges pivotally connecting the bottoms of said case sections,each said hinge including two halves, each of which extends outwardly from a pin at the position of the joint between said sections, the inner end of each hinge half being cut away to accommodate said strip means and the outer end of each hinge half extending away from said wall strip forming the bottom of said section to provide an abutment which supports said case when said case rests on its bottom. t

4. A luggage case section, comprising a pair 'of substantially rectangular end panels having two spaced, inwardly extending flanges around three sides thereof and an inwardly oiset ange along the` fourth side thereof; a wall strip extending between said panels and into the space between said spaced flanges at each said panel; and a series of strips, for engaging an opposite section, each p having a groove receiving a said otset flange or an edge of said wall strip.

5. A luggage case section, as dened in claim 4, wherein said end panels are formed of plastic and said wall strip is formed of light weight metal provided on the outside with a layer of wear resistant plastic bonded thereto.

6. A luggage case section, as dened in claim 4, wherein said strips are each provided with a longitudinally extending web, a longitudinal inner flange spaced inwardly from said web and a longitudinal outer flange spaced outwardly from said web, said outer ange and web forming said groove; and said section includes a lining the edges of which extend into the grooves formed between said webs and inner anges of said strips.

7. A luggage case section, as defined in claim 6, wherein the said web of two opposite strips is deeper than said web of the other two opposite strips; and rivets attach said deeper webs to said end panels at opposite ends of the latter.

8. A luggage case section, as defined in claim 7, wherein said strips having deeper webs extend along said wall strip.

9. A luggage case including two opposed concave sections which meet at the edges thereof when said case is closed, each said section comprising a generally rectangular panel at each end, each said panel being 'formed of plastic and having rounded corners remote from the other section, each said panel being provided with an inwardly offset flange along the edge adjacent the opposite section, a first ilange extending inwardly from the peripheral edge of the other three sides thereof, including said corners, a second flange extending inwardly in spaced parallel relation to said first flange but terminating short of said inwardly offset iiange, a groove on the outside of said panel opposite said second ange, thereby forming a bead on the outside at the base of said rst ange, said bead extending beyond said inwardly oifset flange in a direction toward said opposite section; a wall strip extending between said panels and into the space between said irst and second anges to form the side, bottom and top of said section, said wall strip being formed of light metal provided on the outside with a layer of wear resistant plastic bonded thereto; and strip means extending around the edges of said wall strip and said panels, said strip means of one section interfitting with the strip means of the other section with said case closed.

10. A luggage case as deiined in claim 9, wherein said strip means of each said section comprises four separate strips mitered at each end and disposed in perpendicular relation to each adjacent strip, said stripsof one section being provided with longitudinally extending tongues and said strips of the other section being provided with grooves interfitting with said tongues, said strips being each provided with a longitudinally extending web, a longitudinal inner flange spaced inwardly from said web and a longitudinal outer flange spaced outwardly from said web, said outer flange and web forming a groove into which said wall strip extends at two opposite strips and into which said inwardly otfset flange of said panel extends at the remaining two opposite strips and said web of said opposite strips along said wall strip being deeper than said web of said wall strips along said panels; a bracket connecting said webs of adjacent strips at the corners thereof, said outer ilange of said strips extending along said end panels engaging the inside of said bead; a rivet attaches each end of said web of the strips extending along said wall strip to said first ilange of said panel, each said rivet also extending through said wall strip; and

said section includes a lining, the edges of which extend into the grooves formed between said webs and inner flanges of said strips.

11. A luggage case, as defined in claim l0, including hinges attached to said strip webs and said wall strip at the bottom of each section; a handle and lock attached centrally to said strip web at the top of one said section; a draw bolt at each side of said handle and attached to said strip web of said sections; such attachments being by rivets which also extend through said wall strip.

12. A luggage case, including two opposed concave sections which meet at the edges thereof when said case is closed, each said section being provided around its edge with strip means having an outer flange and an inner flange forming a groove therebetween; wall portions attached to said strip means and extending into said grooves, said wall portions forming the sides and ends of said sections; and hinges attaching said sections together, each said hinge including two halves, each of which extends angularly and then outwardly from a pin at the position of the joint between said sections, the inner end of each hinge half being cut away to accommodate said outer flange of said strip means and the outer end of each hinge half extending away from said wall portion to provide an abutment which supports said case when said case rests on its bottom.

13. A luggage case, including two opposed concave sections which meet at the edges thereof when said case is closed, each said section comprising a panel at each end formed of plastic and having an inwardly extending groove around three sides thereof and a tiange on the fourth side; a wall strip formed principally of light weight metal and extending between said panels to form the side, bottom and top of said section, said wall strip extending into said groove around three sides of said panel; and light metal strip means extending around the edges of said wall strip and said panels, said strip means of one section having a longitudinally extending tongue portion interitting with a complementary, longitudinally extending groove portion of the strip means of the other section with said case closed, each said strip means having a groove opposite the interitting portions and receiving each said panel flange at the position thereof and receiving the edges of said Wall strip at the position thereof.

14. A luggage case, including two opposed concave sections which meet at confronting edges thereof when said case is closed, each said section comprising a panel at each end having an inwardly extending groove around the non-confronting edges thereof; a wall strip extending between and into the grooves of said panels to form the side, bottom and top of said section; and strip means extending around and secured to the confronting edges of said wall strip and said panels, said strip means of one section interfitting with the strip means of the other section with said case closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 361,885 Morrow Apr. 26, 1887 860,807 Kahlow July 23, 1907 2,389,601 De Witt Nov. 27, 1945 2,454,366 Worley Nov. 23, 1948 2,497,979 Cole et al Feb. 21, 1950 2,514,368 Bradford July 11, 1950 2,626,025 Sherman Jan. 20, 1953 2,661,923 Goetz Dec. 8, 1953 2,714,945 Kofer Aug. 9, 1955 2,717,093 Mautner Sept. 6, 1955 2,758,682 Shwayder Aug. 14, 1956 

